Voltage-regulator system



E. LEHR. VOLTAGE REGULATOR SYSTEM. APPLICATION man JUNE 25. m9.

1,419, .45s. Patented June 13, 1 22.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: Edw n L PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED. stares EDWIN LEI-IR; or 'WILKINSB'UBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

' VOLTAGE-REGULATOR SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Juj e 13, 1922 Original application filed March '7; 1916, Serial N6; 82,625.] j1vided and thisa ncnaa filed June 25,

1919. Serial 1105306599.

To (ZZZ to how it may concern lfe' it known that l. EDWIN LEHR, a ci'tizen of the United States, and a resident of lVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania; have invented a new and useful improvement in, Voltagellegulator Systems, of which the following is a specification; this application being a division of application Serial No. 82,625,

filed, March 7. 1.916.

ivly invention relates to regulatorsystems and particularly to voltage-regulator sys tems.

the object of my invention is to provide a voltape-regulator system that shall effect the transfer of the connections of a circuit from one transformer tap to an adjacent transformer tap for varying the voltage im pressed upon such circuit Without any abrupt circuit changes.

Hel'etofore, .it has been common to regu-' late and vary the voltage of an alternating current by means of a regulating transformer which comprised a plurality of upon the rcgiiilated circuit, because of the voltagemangc restriction imposed by the induction potential regulator.

in order to overcome the above difficulty, I substitute an auxiliary transformer having two floathu, coils for the inductioii potential regulaton and provide'means for alternately co'nnM-tiup the floating coils to successive taps extending fromthe main or regulating transformer so as to vary the number of maiii-transformer sections that are included in the regulated circuit.

In practicing my invention a main or reflula'ting trunstoiuncr. having a primary Winding cimnected' across a supply circuit from one main-transformer tap to an adjacent transformer tap for varying the 1mm ber of main traiisfornierSections included in circuit with the testing transformer, is effected by connecting one terminal of the pri mary Winding of the testing transformer directly to one terminal of the secondary Winding of the main transformer and chan ing the connection of the second terminal of the testing transformer through the floating coils of the auxiliary transformer froiif one niaii -transformer tap to an adjacent main-transformer tap.

In changing from one main-transformer tap to an adjacent transformer tap for including a section of the main transformer in circuit with the testing transformer to' raise the voltage impressed upon the testing transformer, the sections ofone of the auxiliary-transformer floating" coils are successively connected in circuit with the testing transformer-to impress a, voltage on the testlIlQ transformer equivalent to one half the voltage obtaining between two adjacent transformer taps. Then the two floating coils of the auxiliary transformer are bridged across one section of the main transformer so that the current supplied by the main transformer section may floiv through either one of the floating coils to thetransformer secondary winding. No change in the voltage impressed upon the testing transformer is effected at this time, inasmuch as the second floating coil is connected to the second maiii'transformer tap to develop an opposition voltage equivalent to main transformer taps. Finally, the first floatingcoil is excluded fromcircuit and the y i one-half the voltage obtaining between two Cir sections of the second floating coil are successively excluded from circuit to connect the selected mrim-transformer section directly in circuit with the testing transformer.

fr controller, having a drum associated with the taps extending from the floating coils of the auxiliary transformer and a second drum associated with the taps extending "from the secondary winding of the main transformer, is provided "for changing the connections of the transformers to vary the sections of the main transformer which are included in circuit with the testing transformer. The two drums are preferably operated by an electric motor and are so geared together that the drum associated with the floating coil makes one complete revolution l'or each position occu pied by the drum which is connected to the main-transhn'mer taps.

in the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrannnatic view oi a regulator system embodying my invention and Fig. a diagrammatic view oi? the means tor operating the controller illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, a main trans lormer 1, having a primary winding 2 and a secondary winding 3, is provided for governing the voltage impressed upon a testing transformer t. The primary winding 2 ol the main transformer l is directly connected across a supply circuit comprising conductors 5 and (3, and the secondary winding 21) of the main transformer l is divided into sections by means of taps '7 to 27, inclusive. The testing transformer -l: comprises a sec ondary winding 28 and a primary winding 29, oneterminal of the primary winding 29 being directly connected to the main transi'ormer tap 7.

An auxiliary transformer 30, comprising a primary winding i l, connected across the supply comluctors and (S and two second ary floating coils or windings 32 and 3:5, is provided tor switching a testing-trmislormer connection from one main trans- :lormer tap to an adjacent main transformer tap without any abrupt circuit changes. The floating coil. 38 is divided into sections by means of taps 34 to 4:5, inclusive, and the floating coil is divided into sections by means of taps 51 to 63, inclusive. The taps I l-l to L5. inclusive, extending from the tloating coil 33, are respectively connected to contact lingers 34a to 4:566, inclusive, of a controller G l, and the taps 51 to 62, inclusive, extending from the floating coil 32. are respectively connected to the contact fingers 51a to 62a of the controller G l. The tap 63, extending from the floating coil 32. is directly connected to a switch arm 65 of the controller G l. The transformer taps T to 27. inclusive, extending from the secondary winding 3 oi? the main transformer l, are re spectively connected to the stationary contact fingers 7a to 27a, inclusive, of the controller 64.

The controller 64 embodies a drum (30, which controls the circuit connections of the auxiliary transformer 30, and a drum (37, which governs the connections of the taps extending from the secondary winding 3 of the main transformer. The drum 6 comprises a plurality of contact segments (38 to 71, inclusive, which are electrically connected to a slip ring 72 and to a brush 73, which engages the slip ring at all times. A plurality of contact segments Tat to T7, inclusive, are electrically connected to a slip ring 78, which is in engagement with a brush T9 at all times. The brush T 5 is directly ()llnected to one terminal of the secondary winding 29 of the testing transformer 4-, and the brush '79 is connected to the same transformer terminal through a resistor 80. The contact segments 68 and 74L are adapted to engage the stationary contact fingers 3411., 38c, 4:266, 51a, 55a and 59a, according to the position of the drum 6(3. The contact segments 69 and 75 are adapted to engage the contact fingers 35a, 3950, as, 520., 56a. and (5056, according to the position oi the drum G6 and, likewise the contact segments 7i) and 76 and. 71 and i7 are, respectively, adapted to engage the stationary contact lingers 36c. c, em, 53a, 57a and 61a. and the station ary contact lingers 37c, 4-10 liar. 5hr 5s and (32a.

The contact fingers oi/r to c, inclusive. which are connected to the taps 3-11 to 45, inelusive, extending from the floating coil 23? are disposed in three rows to be successively engaged by the contact segments 0 l' the drum 6G. The first row of stationary contact tingers embodies the contact lingers 34w, 3m

36a and 37m and are successively engaged by the movable contact segments oi the drum 66 during a partial rotation by it. The three rows o'l stationary contact m mbers are peripherally disposed around the drum 66 so that, after the successive engagement of the drum contact segment witli the stationary cont-act fingers 34a to 374. the contact lingers 38a to 4:10 com iirising the second vertically aliued group, are sucressively engaged by the drum contact segments and. finally, the stationary contact fingers 42a to 4:566, comprising the third vertically alincd group of contact fingers. are successively engaged by the contact segments of the drum 66. Adjacent to the three vertically alined groups oi contact fingers 34/: to 4-5. in -lu sive, are .disposed three vertically alined groups of contact lingers 51m to Gil/1, which are respectively connected to the taps 51 to 62. inclusive, extending from the floating coil 32. The vertically alined groups o-t contact fingers respectively comprise contact fingers 510 to 54a, inclusive, the contact fingers 55a to 58a, inclusive, and the contact lingers 59a lil Cir

to 62a, inclusive. Such vertically alined groups of contact fingers are successively engaged by the contact segments of the drum 66 in the same manner as the contact fingers which are connected to the taps extending troni the floating coil 33. These vertically alined groups of stationary contact fingers are symmetrically so disposed around the contact drum 66 that the contact fingers 34m to 4l5a, inclusive, and 51a to 62a. inclusive, are successively engaged by the contact fingers during one complete revolution of the drum 66.

The drum 67 comprise: contact segments 81 to 85, inclusive, which are electrically connected to a slip ring 86 and contact se ments 87 to 90. inclusive, which are electrically connected to a slip ring 91. The slip ring 91 isconnected to the tap 63 extending from the floating coil 32 by means of the brush 65, and the slip ring 86 is connected to the tap 34,. extending from the float-- ing coil 30, by means of a brush 92.

The stationary contact fingers To to 2761, inclusive, are disposed in six peripherally spaced groups around the drum 6?, the first group comprising contact fingers 7a to 100,

the second group comprising the contait fingers 11a to 1404, inclusive, the third group comprising the contact fingers 15a to 18m, inclusive, the fourth group comprising the contact fingers 19a to 22c. inclusive, the fifth group comprising the contact fingers 23a to 26m, inclusive, and the sixth group comprising the finger 27a. The drum 67. during a complete revolution,successively completes circuits to each of the stationary contact fingers 7a to 2764, inclusive, in a manner similar to the operation of the drum 66. The drums 66 and G7 are interconnected by a gearing system 93 so that the drum 66 makes one complete revolution during the time that the drum GT is passing from one position to an adjacent po ition. The two drums are connected to a motor 94 in any suitable manner, as by means of a gearing system 95. The construction and operation of the drums 66 and GT are more completely described in my co-pendin application Ser'al No. 82,625, filed h'lareh 7. 19. 13, 01": which this application is a division.

in care it is desired to energize the test ing transiormcr a and, gradually increase the mltage impressed upon it, the motor 94 is energized to rotate the drums 6t) and (37 in a clockwise direction; Assuming the drum 67 to be in such positionthat the contact segment 81 engages the contact finger 7a. a circuitis completedthrough the testing t'anstormer 4L, upon engagement between the contact segment 68 and the contact finger in whichextends from one terminal of the arv winding 3 t-l'iroughthesecondary g, 9 of the testing transformer 4, brush 73 ,sli,p ring 'T9, conta-r=t segment 63,

winding of. the main transformer 1. iL-tt this time, no voltage is impressed upon the te ting transformer 4:, inasmuch as no portion of the auxiliary transformer 30 or of the main transformer l. is included in circuit with the secondary winding 29 of the testing transformer. Ilpon continued rotation of the drum 66, the contact seg'nent 5 engages the stationary contact finger 35a and completes a circuit which extends from one terminal of the secondary winding 3 throughthe secondary winding 29, resistor 80, brush 79, slip ring 78, contact segment 7'1 contact finger 35a, taps 35 and 34:, extending from the coil 30, bru h 92, slip ring 86, contact segment 81. and the contact finger 7a to the tap 7 extending from the secondary winding 3. Further rotation oi the drum 66 effects engagement betweenzthc contact segment 69 and the contact finger 35a for short-circuiting the resistor 80 to impress the voltage obtaining between the taps 3 1- and 35 ot the floating coil upon the secondary winding 29 of the transformer 4!.

The continued movement ofthe drum (53 eiifects engagement between the contact seg ment 76 and the contact finger 36a. The engagement between the segment 76 and the finger 36a completes a circuit through the secondary winding 2-9 of the testing transformer 4, which includes the preventive resistance 80 and the two sections of the coil 33 that are includedbetween the taps 3e and 36. It will be noted that the portion of the coil 33 included between the taps and 36 is short-circuited by the simultaneous engagement between the con tact finger 35a and the contact segment 69 and the contact finger 36a and the contat segment 76, but such short-circuit causes no damage inasmuch as the preventive resist ance 30 is included in circuit. Upon disengagement ot the contact segment 69 and the contact finger 350-, the contact segment engages the contact finger 36a to shortcircuitthe preventive resistor and impresses the voltage obtaining between the taps 34; and 36 of the coil 33 upon the testing transformer.

When the drum 66 has rotated through thirty degrees and I the contact segn'ient ii is in engagement with the contact fing r 450,

the completefloating coil 33 i: connected in= circuit with the testing transformer 4: to

impress a voltageupon the testing transformer which is equivalent to one-half: the voltage obtaining between any two ad taps of the main transformer 1.

Upon further rotation of the drums 56 and 67 the contact segment 83 ot' the d rum: 67 engages the contact linger 8a, and the contact segment 74- ot the drum 66' enacent' Cir he contact line'er Til z. Lil this j I we (fllClllLE- are completed for ener the secoinlary winding The circuit, which includes the coil 3 extends from one terminal of the secondary wind- Eng 3 thror 'h ti o secondary winiiling 29 oi. the testng t'anstormer, lflfilSli T3. slip ring; '72, contact segment 71, contact linger 45/4, complete coil 83, hrush 92 slip ring 8G, contact segment and the contact finger To to the tap 7 extending from the secondary coil 3. The second circuit includes the portion of the secondary winding 3 between the taps 7 and E; and field winding 32 and extends from one terminal of the secondary winding 3 through the secondary Wiuding; 2%) ol the test'ii tiitllSliOl'lllQI, resistor til). brush 79. slip r a contact segment 74-, contact finger 5M1, complete C01! 32, brush ()5, slip .i'inp 91 contact segmez'lt 8S and the contact linger 8a to tl'ie tap 8 x:- tending from the secondary winding 3 of the main transformer 1. i'tlthough a c anplete section of the secondary winding is inchnled in the second circuit t'aced, the voltage impressed upon the testing' transl'ormer only one-halt the voltage. obtaining across any section of the main. trans lornier inasmuch as the coil 32 develops an opposition voltage equivalent to one-hall the voltage obtainingacross any two taps oi the main t'ans'lormer 1.

Further rotation oi the drums exclude: the coil 333 from circuit hy disengraguncnt between the contact linger 7i and lfizrand then the resistor St), which is in circuit with the coil 32, is slnn't-circuited by engagement with the contact segn'ient (38 and the contact linger 5M. The continued rotation of the drum 6t} successively GI\'(lH(ltS the sections oi the coil 32 from circuit until. the complete voltage or the section oi the sia'midarv winding 2) inchuled between the taps "7 and 8 is impressa-id upon the testing trzmsformer.

in u like manner. the successive segments of the secondary winding 3-) ot the main transformer l are connected in circuit with the testing" transt'oriner 4-. Moreover, it it is desired to reduce the voltage impressei l upon the testing' transloriner t, the drums (56 and T3 are rotated in a counter-cloclzwise direction to perform a reverie operation oi" that above descrihed and successively exclude sections oi the seeoiulary winding 9, from the circuit of the testing transt'ornier 4-.

From the tori-igoiug explai'iation as to the operation ot the regulator system, it will be noted that, in changing from one main transformer 11211) to an adjacent transformer tap to vary the number of main transformersections included in circuit with the test ing transformer 4 the sections of the coil. are successively connected in circuit wit: secondary winding 29 of the test n51 ea two code 33 lnslf'orrnerg next, the

are bridged across one section of the main transformer 1, the voltage or the coil 32 opposing the roltage of the main transformer 1, then the winding e); eluded :trom circuit and, finally. the sections oil the coil, 3; are successivetv exchided from the circuit of the testing transformer In this manner, a very wide range oi voltage regulation provided and also slight variations therein are made, the 'i'orincr being accomplished by the main transformer l and the latter hy the auxiliary trai'istormer 30.

Modifications in the system and arrange ment and lo ation of parts may be made within the spirit and scope cl? my invention and such modifications are iiitended to he covered by the appended claims.

claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a main electrical windingcomprising a plurality of seztious termed by taps, and an auxiliary winding comprising a pliufulity o'ii' dill'i'ercntially re lated coils cinnposed o'l sectioi'ls formed. by taps, of means for mmnecting various oin inatious oi" the auxiliary whirling :-:ections n circuit with all the sections of the main vi ndinn in succession.

2. The coinliiua'ition with a main electrical winding and an ai'lxiliary winding comprising a plurality of sections formed by taps. both of said windings lining excited with eleitriral ener 'y from common supply mains. oi a controller comprising: a pluralitv or stationary groups of contact tinp'ers which are severally connected to the taps on said windin s drums severally asso.-iated with each o't lltl windhugsand speed-modityiugr means tor iuterconnectinn said drums to successively connect the several se tions ol the auxiliary winding; in circuit with succeeding sections ol the main winding.

9 The combination with a main winding and an auxiliurv winding, the main whirling);

comprisinn a plurality o'l" sections 'l orn'ied by taps and the auxiliary winding comprising two coils divided into sections hy taps. ol a controller comprising groups oli spared contact fingers which are connected to the taps on the main winding. a drum therelor to vary the circuit connections ol the main winding: :1. second group ot spaced contact .ingers which are ('(JlllllK'iIOil to the taps on the auxiliary winding; a second drum there-- for for varying the circuit ('(JlilltClJlOHH ol" the auxiliary winding; to the main winding drum, and a gear train inserted between lill l in

said drums "for e'llieel inn a speed variation in i 7 the rotation of the drums.

:l. The (Oll'llJlIltltlOIl with a main windii'in' and an auxiliary winding. Pach conu nrisinii a plurality o'l sections 'lorn'md by taps, cl :1

controller comprising a group 0! spaced eoinl tact fingers which are connected to the taps on the main winding a second group of spaced contact iiiigt-" which are connected to the taps on the auxiliary winding. a separate drum for each of said groups of contact fingers for varying the circuit connec tions of the auxiliary winding to the main winding, and means for varying the circuit connections of said windings at different rates.

5. In a regulator system,-the combination with a main transformer having a plurality of sections formed by taps, an auxiliary transformer having two coils, each of said coils having a plurality of sections formed by taps, and means for successively connecting the sections of one of said auxiliary coils in circuit with one of said main transformer taps, connecting the two auxiliary coils to two of the main transformer taps, excluding the first auxiliary transformer coil from circuit and successively excluding the sections of the second auxiliary coil from circuit.

6. In a regulator system, the combination comprising a main winding having a plurality of sections formed by taps, an auxiliary winding comprising two coils having a plurality of sections, and means for successively connecting the sections of one of said coils in circuit with one of said mainwinding taps for connecting the other of said coils to one of said main winding taps, for disconnecting the first coil from circuit and for disconnecting the other one of said coils from circuit.

7. In a regulator system, the combination with a supply circuit, a main transformer having a plurality of sections formed by taps, and an auxiliary transformer comprising two differentially related coils composed of sections formed by taps, of means for successively connecting the several sections of the auxiliary transformer in circuit with all the sections of the main transformer.

8. In a regulator system, the combination with a supply circuit, and a main transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, the primary winding being connected across the supply circuit and the secondary winding having a plurality of sections formed by taps, of an auxiliary transformer having a primary winding connected across the supply circuit and a secondary winding comprising two coils divided into sections by taps extending from them, a testing transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, means for connecting the primary winding of the test ing transformer in circuit with the secondary winding of the main transformer and for connecting the auxiliary-winding sections successively in circuit to include various main-transformer sections without any abrupt circuit changes.

9. In a regulator system, the combination witha supply circuit, a main transformer having a primary winding connected across the supply circuit and a secondary winding divided into sections by taps, an auxiliary transformer having a primary winding conthe testing transformer and one section of the main transformer, disconnecting the first auxiliary coil from circuit and connecting the second auxiliary coil directly in series with the testing transformer and the main winding section, and successively excluding the sections of the second coil of the auxiliary transformer from circuit.

10. The method of changing a workingcircuit connection from one main trans former tap to an adjacent transformer tap for varying the number of main transformer sections included in circuit which consists in successively connecting the sections of a floating coil to said working circuit, c0nnecting a second floating coil in parallel to the first floating coil for bridging one section of the main transformer, excluding the first floating coil from circuit, and successively excluding the various sections of the second floating coil from circuit.

11. In a regulating system having a main transformer divided into sections by taps and an auxiliary transformer comprising two coils divided into sections by taps, the method of changing the connection of a working circuit to the main transformer which consists in successively connecting the sections of one of said coils to said circuit, connecting said two auxiliary coils in parallel with a main transformer section to said circuit, excluding the first auxiliary coil from circuit, and successively excluding the sections of the second auxiliary coil from circuit.

12. The method of changing a workingcircuit connection from one main-transformer tap to an adjacent transformer tap for varying the number of main-transformer sections included in circuit which consists in successively connecting the sections of an auxiliary coil to the working circuit and to the main transformen connecting said first auxiliary coil and a second auxiliary coil respectively in shunt to and in series with one of the main transformer sections and to the working circuit, excluding the first auxiliary coil from circuit, and successively excluding the second auxiliary-coil sections from circuit.

18. In a regulator system, the combination with a supply circuit, a main transformer having a primary Winding connected across the supply circuit and two floating secondary coils divided into sections by taps, and an auxiliary circuit, of means for successively connecting the sections of one floating coil to said auxiliary circuit, for bridging a main transformer section by said floating coils While connected to the auxiliary circuit, for excluding the first floating coil from circuit, and for successively excluding the sections of the second floating coil from circuit.

14. Ina regulator system, the combination comprising a main transformer having a winding divided into sections by taps, two separate floating coils, a circuit, and means for connecting the main transformer to said circuit and for alternately connecting said floating coils to successive main transformer taps to vary the number of main transformer sections included in circuit.

15. In a regulating system, the combination comprising a supply circuit, a main transformer having a winding divided into sections by taps, an auxiliary transformer having two separate floating coils, both of said transformers being energized by the supply circuit, an auxiliary circuit, and means for connecting the main transformer to the auxiliary circuit and for alternately connecting said floating coils to successive main transformer taps to vary the number of main transformer sections included in circuit.

16. The combination with a main transformer having a plurality of taps extending from it, of means comprising an auxiliary transformer having two separate floating coils for changing circuit connections from one of said taps to another tap.

17. The combination with a main transformer having a plurality of taps extending from it, of means comprising two differentially related floating coils for changing circuit connections from one of said taps to another tap.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this lDth day of June 1919.

' EDlVIN LEHR. 

